A Schengen Visa is a document issued by appropriate authorities to an interested party for visiting or traveling to and within the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area includes 26 countries that have agreed to allow free movement of their citizens within this area as a single country. Of these 26 countries bound by the Schengen agreement, 22 are part of the European Union (EU) and the other 4 are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Schengen area covers the majority of European countries, except for the United Kingdom and countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Ireland soon to be part of the agreement. However, there are countries that are not part of the EU like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein yet do belong in the Schengen area and enjoy the free movement policy.
The Schengen Member States
Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIRED
Many of us Filipinos dream of visiting Europe and enjoy seeing the beautiful and famous tourist spots someday. In order to visit Europe, we need to apply for a Schengen Visa. There is a list of documentary requirements needed for applying Schengen Visa but one of the most important requirements is buying a travel care medical insurance to an accredited non-life insurance company. The travel insurance is a mandatory requirement in applying a Schengen Visa.
Extract from “Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009”, which entered into force on April 5 of 2010:
“… Applicants for a uniform visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States.
The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000” (…)
Whether the travel insurance is mandatory or not, I do believe that we need to buy a travel insurance wherever we go in the world. It is affordable and the coverage is worth it. Medical expenses and repatriation expenses are some of the covered expenses of a travel insurance. Believe me, expenses can go up to millions and you will pay for it if you do not have travel insurance. It is not like we are in the Philippines, and we can easily borrow money from friends and relatives; we are in a foreign country possibly with no relatives and friends in there. (I stand corrected, even in the Philippines, borrowing money is difficult.) When you buy travel insurance, you buy peace of mind. When you are abroad, unexpected emergencies may happen like accidental injuries and illnesses.
So 30,000 euros (about 1.6 Million pesos) is the minimum travel insurance coverage required when applying for travel insurance. You may apply higher coverage but not lower. There are many travel insurance companies in the Philippines but I recommend BPI/MS Insurance Corporation, one of the largest and most profitable non-life insurance companies in the Philippines. (Disclosure: I am an agent here). The company has 24/7 hotline to assist clients having medical emergencies worldwide.
BPI Travel Insurance
Death or Disablement: BPI/MS pays benefit specified in the policy schedule for accidental death & disablement within 90 days from the date of the accident.
Medical and Additional Expense: Travel Care covers for medical, surgical or hospital charges and emergency dental treatment charges incurred as a result of accidental bodily injury, illness or death during your journey as specified in your policy schedule.
Loss of Baggage including Delays: Pays for actual or replacement cost of baggage due to accidental loss, theft or damage during the trip. This will also take care of your worries in case your checked-in baggage has been delayed, misdirected or misplaced in delivery for more than 8 hours from the time you arrive at your destination.
Trip Cancellation / Curtailment: Reimburses non-refundable expenses such as airline tickets, irrevocable deposits and advance payment for accommodations if your trip is cancelled or curtailed due to unforeseen incidents.
Missed travel Connections: Pays benefit up to a maximum of PHP 10,000 for reasonable additional travel and accommodation costs incurred in the arrangement of alternative travel.
Hospital Cash Benefits: Pays a fixed amount of PHP 1,000 for each day that you are hospitalized as an inpatient due to accident or illness up to a maximum amount of PHP 10,000.
Personal Liability: Travel Care covers expenses that you might incur if you caused another person’s accidental death, bodily injury or damage to property, resulting from accidents.
Delayed Departure: This feature is an added benefit, which reimburses up to PHP 10,000 for incurred expenses if your flight is delayed by more than 8 hours.
Missed Departure: Pays for additional travel expenses and accommodation costs up to a maximum amount of PHP 10,000 for incurred expenses if your flight is delayed by more than 8 hours.
Loss of Passport: Pays for reasonable costs of additional hotel, travel and communication expenses necessary in obtaining replacement for a lost passport or visa up to a maximum amount of PHP 10,000.
Hijack: This added benefit would provide you a fixed amount of PHP 5,000 for each day that your travel is delayed due to organized industrial action or hijack.
Rental Vehicle Excess Cover: Reimburses excess liability up to PHP 10,000 if you become legally liable provided that accidental loss or damage to the vehicle was caused by collision or theft while it is in your custody.
Additional Costs of Rental Car Return: Pays costs up to PHP 5,000 for car rental if you are unable to return any rental vehicle due to accident or illness.
Extension of Period of Journey: This feature is automatically FREE of charge if the journey is extended due to public transport delay or bodily injury or sickness up to:
- 7 days delay for the carrier
30 days delay if due to injury or illness
Emergency Medical Evacuation: Arranges and pays for covered expenses incurred if your medical condition needs immediate transportation, from the place where you are to the nearest hospital, where appropriate medical treatment can be obtained.
Emergency Medical Repatriation: Arranges and pays for covered expenses incurred if your medical condition needs transportation to your home country to obtain further medical treatment or to recover.
Transportation of Mortal Remains: Arranges and pays for all reasonable expenses incurred for the preparation and return of your mortal remains to your home country.
Emergency Telephone Expenses: Pays for the telephone expenses accumulated for calling the Emergency Hotline (i.e. 911), during accidents or illness up to a maximum amount of PHP 2,000.
Free 24-Hour Worldwide Travel Assistance Services: Through our service provider, INTERNATIONAL SOS, BPI/MS will arrange the following emergency assistance benefits when you call the Travel Care hotline at (632) 687-8535.
Travel Assistance
Pre-Trip Information Services
Embassy Referral
Lost Luggage Assistance
Lost Passport Assistance
Weather and Exchange Rate Information Assistance
Emergency Message Transmission Assistance
Interpreter Referral
Medical Assistance
Telephone Medical Advice
Medical Service Provider Referral
Arrangement of Appointments with Local Doctors for Treatment
Arrangement of Hospital Admission and Monitoring of Medical Conditions When Hospitalized
Dispatch of Essential Medicine
Arrangement of Compassionate Visit
Arrangement of Returns of Minor Children
Arrangement of Hotel Accommodation
Commencement & Expiry: The term of coverage commences two (2) hours before your scheduled departure time and ceases on whichever of the following occurs first:
a. the expiry of the policy period specified in the policy
b. your return to your residence or employment
c. within two (2) hours after scheduled time of arrival
Exclusions:
The policy shall not be answerable for any medical, surgical, hospital or other contingent expenses, including death benefits relating to the following:
a) Any pre-existing condition, sickness, disease or ailment manifesting in the Insured Person twelve (12) months prior to covered period of travel as stated in this policy schedule, including but not limited to hypertension, cancer of any form, heart disease, pulmonary disease, renal disease, epilepsy, mental or nervous disorders, diabetes, asthma, scoliosis, arthritis, visual and/or hearing impairment
b) any outbreak of any epidemic or pandemic sickness, virus or disease as such, but not limited to, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Avian flu, A (H1n1) and the like
c) any accident or injury to the Insured Person occurring while engaged in an organized sport competition of any kind, undertaken on a professional or sponsored basis
d) any addiction or abuse of any form or narcotic, drug or medication
e) any injury or death resulting from the Insured Person’s practice or utilization, either as a pilot or passenger, or a sailplane, hanglider, parasail, parachute, or engaging in any aerial flight other than as passenger
f) any injury or death as a result of scuba diving, wake boarding, water skiing, jet skiing, bungee jumping, rock climbing.
SCHENGEN TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance is a mandatory requirement when applying for a tourist visa to any of the countries in the European Union. The European Union requires a minimum of 30,000 Euros or about 1.6 Million Philippine pesos coverage so get at least the diamond plan below. If you are looking for non-schengen (outside European Union EU) travel insurance, visit this page: https://www.moneytalkph.com/travel-insurance/affordable-travel-insurance-philippines/
HOW TO APPLY:
- Download, print, and fill out the blank application form: https://www.moneytalkph.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BPIMS-TRavel-Insurance-Blank-Form.pdf. One application form per individual. To help you out in filling out the form, download sample filled form here: https://www.moneytalkph.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BPIMS-Travel-Insurance-Sample-3.pdf You can also fill out the online application form here (click: https://www.moneytalkph.com/travel/) if you do not want to print.
- Picture/Scan the accomplished application form and email to me: raymund.camat@moneytalkph.com together with your passport (required). You can also send them via Viber at 09179698062 or facebook messenger at http://www.facebook.com/rfcamat
- We will evaluate your application form and issue a contract. (1-2 days). We will let you know if the contract is already available for pick up.
- Pick up and pay the contract at BPI/MS Insurance Corp., 15th Floor BPI-Philam Life Tower (formerly Ayala FGU Tower) 6811 Ayala Avenue Makati City. (I have special arrangement for those who could not pick up the contract personally, ask me about it by texting or calling 09179698062 / 09392787408, sure buyers only)
Save this direct number +632-687-8535 in your phone so you will know what to contact when you have medical emergencies abroad. Regular call rates apply. You may also text, viber, or call me: +639179698062 and I will help relay your emergency to the office.
About Me:
I am a licensed non-life advisor for BPI/MS Insurance Corporation. You may contact me 09179698062/09392787408 or 025089025 (Landline), 09179698062 (Viber) or email me at raymund.camat@moneytalkph.com. Why choose me? You can contact me 24/7 even after office hours. If you apply to other companies, you may only talk to them during business hours. You may be dealing with different customer care agents with other companies, if you choose me, you only deal with me, nobody else. You can text me, call me or email me anytime. I will reply back as fast as I can (unless I am driving and in a meeting :)). I can also assist rush applications during business days, no additional fee.
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TESTIMONIALS
Thank you Raymund for rushing my Schengen travel insurance application – Cristina of Alabang
Totally legit. Received my contract via LBC in just 3 days. Thanks Raymund – Cara of Mandaluyong
Very easy to transact with. Salmat Raymund – Jel of Binangonan
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